How young Koreans are turning to investing, fuelled by YouTube and ‘anxiety’ about future
Poorly paid and with no faith in the social welfare system, young South Koreans are buying stocks and ETFs to secure their financial future

By Lee Yeon-woo
Business consultant Choi Hui-ji, 26, aims to save 70 per cent of her monthly wages. Of that, she invests about half in overseas exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
Her goal is to own a home and other income-generating real estate, and secure an income for her retirement.
“Saving just 100,000 won (US$75) a month in your teens can grow to a much larger amount than saving 200,000 or 300,000 a month in your thirties. I believe starting early and saving consistently, even if it’s a small amount, is one of the best ways to ease financial concerns in the future,” she says.

Like Choi, many young Koreans are turning their attention to investment, believing it to be the only way to create an economic ladder.